Ballistic and impact protective military helmet assembly

ABSTRACT

A helmet assembly is provided including a front mount configured to attach to the front of the helmet above a brim of the helmet, a mandible for protecting a portion of the user&#39;s face, a lower edge rim mounting portion such as a halo attached along the lower edge of the helmet for securing the mandible to a helmet and providing power and data conduits. The front mount provides a center top mounting arrangement that operatively connects a center top location of the face shield to a center front mount on the helmet. The mount provides frontal bracket portions for mounting accessories. The helmet assembly provides a helmet shell with a curved shape having a surrounding reinforcing ridge. A reeling system is provided for adjusting front and lower chin straps. Other improvements in helmet assemblies are also disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/419,038, filed on Mar. 13, 2012, andentitled, “Ballistic and Impact Protective Military Helmet Assembly”,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/452,462,filed Mar. 14, 2011, each of which is incorporated herein in itsentirety.

REFERENCE TO GOVERNMENT FUNDING

This invention was made with Government support under Contract No.W911QY-10-C-0121, awarded by the U.S. Army Material Command, a divisionof the United States Department of Defense. The Government has certainrights in this invention.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to helmet assemblies having multiplecomponents such as face shields, mandibles, or mouth guards andaccessories.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of protective and military helmets are known, such as thehelmet known as the Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH), which was a successorto the Personnel Armor System Ground Troops (PASGT) such as shown in USPatent Des. 242,088. Further, military and law-enforcement helmets withface shields are known such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,901,369 and4,536,892. These face shields provide pivot arrangements on oppositelateral sides of the face shield to allow the face shield to be pivotedupward away from the user's face when the face shield is not deployed.The face shield is held in a deployed position in front of the user'sface by locking of the pivot arrangements.

The present inventors recognize a need for a helmet with increasedcoverage, improved ballistic performance, improved impact performance,and improved freedom of movement. The inventors recognize a need for ahelmet that has a closer conformity with the user's head and is lighterwith improved equipment compatibility. The inventors further recognize aneed for a redesign communication system to fit within their revisedhelmet having a closer conformity with a user's head.

The present inventors have recognized that it would be desirable toprovide a helmet assembly with an improved attachment system forattaching a face shield, a mandible, goggles, heads-up displays, GPSunits, batteries, communication systems, and other accessories.

The present inventors also recognize that it would be desirable toprovide an attachment system that was quickly and easily installed onto,or removed from, a helmet. The present inventors recognize a need forthe lower edge of the helmet to carry power and/or data over one or moreconduits.

The present inventors recognize a need for a helmet with anchor mountsformed in the helmet shell and thereby eliminate the need for throughholes that are generally found in certain prior art helmets for mountingaccessories.

Some prior art helmet strap systems have as many as five buckles orpoints of adjustment for adjusting the various straps used to secure thehelmet to a user's head. The inventors recognized a need to eliminatethe several buckle strap adjustments of the prior helmet strap systems.The present inventors recognize a need for improved helmet retentionsystem that reduces complexity and one in which a user may operate withonly one hand.

The present inventors further recognize a need for a face guard ormandible that provides access to a user's mouth. Further, the presentinventors recognize a need for a mandible that is removable with onehand by a centrally located release mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a helmet assemblyincluding a front mount configured to attached to the front of thehelmet above a brim of the helmet, a mandible for protecting a portionof the user's face, an accessory-mounting rim portion, such as a “halo”,attached along the lower edge of the helmet for securing the mandible toa helmet and providing power and data conduits, and attachment locationfor other accessories.

In one embodiment, the helmet assembly includes a face shield and thefront mount provides a center top mounting arrangement that operativelyconnects a center top location of the face shield to a center frontmount on the helmet. The face shield can be raised and lowered about apivot axis provided in the mounting arrangement between a tilted up,non-use position and a lowered, deployed position.

In one embodiment, the front mount includes left and right bracketportions that extend laterally across a portion of the front of thehelmet adjacent to the brim. The bracket portions have edge lips onsides of the bracket portion for retaining an accessory. The edge lipscan be upper and lower edge lips that extend vertically toward eachother. Each bracket portion has a rearward extending lateral accessoryengagement portion for attachment of accessories, such as an LED.

In one embodiment, the helmet assembly has a helmet that includes aright and left ear coverage areas, an upper portion, a stiffening ridge,a rear portion, and a bottom edge. The rear coverage areas are connectedto the upper portion on opposite lateral sides. The rear portion isconnected to the upper portion at the rear of the helmet shell. Thestiffening ridge joins the each ear coverage area with the upperportion. The stiffening ridge also joins the rear portion with the upperportion.

The stiffening ridge offsets the upper portion from the left earcoverage area, the right ear coverage area, and the rear portion. Theoffset between the upper portion and rear portion is less than theoffset between the upper portion and each of the ear coverage areas. Thehelmet can comprise at least two steps along the lower edge. The lowermost portion of the rear portion is below the lower most portions of theear coverage areas to provide increase head and neck protection in therear. The helmet shell comprises an upper brim edge and the stiffeningridge bridges between the upper brim edge and the ear coverage areas ata front of the helmet. The stiffening ridge extends from the brim edgeon a first side of the helmet continuously around the helmet to the brimedge on a second side of the helmet.

The helmet can have a center anchor, opposite lateral front anchors, anda rear anchor. Each anchor is formed on the outside surface of thehelmet shell, therefore all helmet through-holes are eliminated. Thecenter anchor and the rear anchor can be centered on the front-to-backmidplane of the helmet.

The accessory-mounting rim portion, such as a halo, has at least twosteps as shown from a side view that match the two steps of the lowerhelmet edge. Therefore, the accessory-mounting rim portion has a formthe matches the continuous edge of the helmet along its circumferencearound the helmet.

In one embodiment, the accessory-mounting rim portion comprises a hookreceiver and a locking pin recess for securing the mandible to theaccessory-mounting rim portion. The hook receiver is located ahead ofthe locking pin recess. The accessory-mounting rim portion has a strikeplate adjacent to the locking pin recess for buffering or absorbingcontact between a pin of the mandible and the accessory-mounting rimportion before the pin engages the recess.

In one embodiment, the accessory-mounting rim portion comprises a powerconduit, a computer data conduit, or both. The accessory-mounting rimportion may have a rear port for receiving a cable connection where thecable connection may be capable of carrying power or data or both.

In one embodiment, the helmet assembly has a battery configured toattach to the rear of the accessory-mounting rim portion and extendupward along the rear of the helmet. The battery may be in communicationwith the conduits of the accessory-mounting rim portion for poweringaccessories attached to the helmet.

In one embodiment, the helmet assembly has a GPS holder attached to therear anchor.

In one embodiment, the mandible comprises right and left cheekprotecting portions connected at the front by a mouth protecting portionand the mouth protecting portion has a front cover that is openable by apivotal connection with the mouth protecting portion. The cover has aclosed position for protecting a user, an open position for permittingaccess to a user's mouth, and a release position that actuates a releasemechanism for releasing the mandible from connection to the lower edgeaccessory-mounting rim portion.

A mounting mechanism of the mandible has a hook and a sliding pin at therear of each of the left and right cheek protecting portions. The hookis configured to pivotally engage a hook receiver such as a hookengaging element, a hole or a bar on the accessory-mounting rim portionand the pin is configured to engage a locking pin recess on theaccessory-mounting rim portion. This arrangement provides a pivotal onehand attachment and detachment of the mandible from theaccessory-mounting rim portion.

In one embodiment, the helmet assembly includes a heads-up displayreleasably securable to the bracket portion of the front mount. Theheads-up-display may have a retractable display screen that ispositioned inside the visor. The heads-up display may receive power anddata from the conduit(s) of the accessory-mounting rim portion.

In one embodiment, the helmet assembly has a communications system witha pair of ear cups in signal communication with the accessory-mountingrim portion. The ear cups have a speaker and padding for providing apredefined level of ear protection from external sound sources. The earcups have a reduced depth to be configured to fit between the conformalhelmet shell and a user.

In one embodiment, the helmet assembly has a helmet retention system forsecuring the helmet to a user's head. The helmet retention system isadjustable by one hand. The retention system has a front chin contactstrap for crossing the front of a user's chin, a lower chin contactstrap for extending under a user's chin, a first reel rotatable totighten or loosen the front chin contact strap, a second reel rotatableto tighten or loosen the lower chin contact strap. A first reeling strapconnects the ends of the lower chin contact strap to the first reel, anda second reeling strap connects the ends of the front chin contact strapto the second reel. The first and second reels may be located on theaccessory-mounting rim portion at the rear of the accessory-mounting rimportion.

In one embodiment, the helmet assembly has a goggle clip receiver mountattached to the rear of the accessory-mounting rim portion. A pair ofgoggle clips are connectable with securing straps of a goggle and thegoggle clips are releasably securable within the goggle clip receiversto secure goggle straps around to the rear of the helmet. The goggleclip receiver mount may include a battery that is signal connected withthe accessory-mounting rim portion.

In one embodiment, the helmet assembly has a night vision enhancingdevice releasably attached to the front mount. In one embodiment, thefront mount has a center vent.

In one embodiment, the helmet assembly has a mask positionable under thehelmet for covering a user's face to provide protection againstchemical, biological, nuclear, or radiological exposure. The mask may beused with or without a balaclava positionable under the helmet.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention willbecome readily apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention and the embodiments thereof, and from the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the helmetassembly of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the helmet assembly a FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the helmet assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the helmet assembly at FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a helmet.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the helmet of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a left side view of the helmet of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the helmet of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8A is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view taken from FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the helmet of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the helmet of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10A is an alternate perspective view of the helmet FIG. 5.

FIG. 10B is a front sectional view of the helmet of FIG. 5 taken alongthe line 10B-10B of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10C is an exploded partial front sectional view of the helmet takenfrom FIG. 10B.

FIG. 10D is a left side perspective view of the helmet of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10E is a bottom view of the helmet of FIG. 5.

FIG. 1OF is a left perspective view of the helmet of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10G is an exploded transparent bottom view of the rear of thehelmet of FIG. 5 at the midplane with the transparent image of the rearmount removed for clarity.

FIG. 10H is a perspective view of a padding for a helmet.

FIG. 11A is a right side perspective view of a prior art helmet.

FIG. 11B is a front sectional view of the helmet of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11C is an exploded partial front sectional view of the helmet takenfrom FIG. 11B.

FIG. 11D is a left side perspective view of the helmet of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11E is a bottom view of the helmet of FIG. 11 A.

FIG. 11F is a left side perspective view of the helmet of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12 is a right perspective view of the front mount.

FIG. 12A is a right perspective view of the helmet assembly of FIG. 1with elements removed and an accessory attached.

FIG. 12B is a schematic sectional view taken generally along line12B-12B of FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 is a lower perspective of the accessory-mounting rim portionwith a rear tower attached.

FIG. 14 is an upper perspective view of the accessory-mounting rimportion of FIG. 13.

FIG. 14A is a rear perspective view of the helmet assembly showing thehelmet, the accessory-mounting rim portion and the rear battery.

FIG. 14B is the helmet assembly showing the helmet, theaccessory-mounting rim portion, and the rear mounted accessory.

FIG. 14C is an inside perspective view of the connection between theaccessory-mounting rim portion and a battery.

FIG. 15 is a left perspective view with a mandible having a cover in anopen position.

FIG. 15A is a transparent perspective view of the inside surface of thecover of FIG. 15.

FIG. 16 is a transparent left side view of the mandible of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged transparent fragmentary view of a portion of themandible mounting system taken from FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary left side perspective view of the attachment ofa mandible the lower edge halo.

FIG. 19 is a left side view showing the attachment of an alternativemandible to the lower edge halo.

FIG. 20 is a left side view of the mandible shown in FIG. 19, with themandible in the fully attached position.

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of the helmet assembly of FIG. 1with a heads-up display attached.

FIG. 22 is a rear perspective view of the heads-up display shown in FIG.21.

FIG. 22A is a rear transparent view of the heads-up display shown inFIG. 22 with internal components shown.

FIG. 22B is a side transparent view of the heads-up display shown inFIG. 22 with internal components shown.

FIG. 23 is a front perspective view of the helmet assembly of FIG. 1with an external heads up display attached.

FIG. 23A is an enlarged perspective view of the external heads updisplay of FIG. 23.

FIG. 23B is an enlarged perspective view of mount components of theexternal heads up display of FIG. 23.

FIG. 24 is a right side perspective view of the helmet assembly of FIG.1 with a communication system attached, and other parts removed.

FIG. 25 is a right side schematic view of a helmet retention system.

FIG. 26 is a rear view of a reel housing of the helmet retention systemof FIG. 25.

FIG. 26A is a perspective, schematic view of a reel of the helmetretention system.

FIG. 26B is a front fragmentary schematic view of a contact strap, loopand reeling straps of the helmet retention system.

FIG. 27 is a perspective left side view of one embodiment of the helmetretention system.

FIG. 28 is a left side view of the helmet assembly of FIG. 1 with anight vision enhancing apparatus attached and other parts removed.

FIG. 29 shows a portion of the helmet assembly of FIG. 1, with thehelmet retention system, a mask, a balaclava, and other parts removed.

FIG. 30 is a rear perspective view of the helmet assembly with thegoggle attachment system, with some parts not shown.

FIG. 31A is a front perspective view of the helmet assembly used withgoggles and other parts removed.

FIG. 31B is a rear perspective view of a goggle attachment system ofFIG. 30.

FIG. 31C is a front view of the goggle attachment system of FIG. 31B.

FIG. 31D is a perspective rear view of a clip of the goggle attachmentsystem of FIG. 31B.

FIG. 32 is a left side perspective view of the helmet assembly of FIG. 1with the face shield and the mounting arrangement in the standby raisedposition.

FIG. 33 is a front view of a mounting arrangement attached to analternate front mount.

FIG. 34 is a rear perspective view of a face shield portion of a portionof the mounting arrangement shown in FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 is an enlarged, fragmentary front perspective view of analternate front mount on an alternate helmet.

FIG. 36 is a front perspective view of the mounting arrangement attachedto an alternate front mount.

FIG. 37 is a sectional view taken generally along line 37-37 of FIG. 36.

FIG. 38 is a front perspective view of the mounting arrangement shown inFIG. 36 with portions removed for explanation of underlying features.

FIG. 38A is a perspective view of a portion of a mounting arrangementbaseplate.

FIG. 38B is a perspective view of the mounting arrangement with portionsremoved for explanation of underlying features.

FIG. 38C is a perspective view of the mounting arrangement with portionsremoved for explanation of underlying features.

FIG. 39 is a rear perspective view of a face shield assembly shown inFIG. 1 with portions removed for explanation of underlying features.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the face shield and mountingarrangement in a lowered, use position, but slightly open forventilation.

FIG. 41 is a sectional view taken generally along line 41-41 shown inFIG. 40.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the face shield and mountingarrangement shown in a raised, non-use position, such as shown in FIG.32.

FIG. 43 is a sectional view taken generally along line 43-43 shown inFIG. 42.

FIG. 44 is an enlarged, front perspective view of the lever for raisingthe face shield, shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 45 is a rear perspective view of the lever shown in FIG. 44.

FIG. 46 is a rear view of the lever shown in FIG. 45.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein indetail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention and is not intended to limit the inventionto the specific embodiments illustrated.

For ease of description, the helmet assembly and associated apparatusesherein will be described generally according to an orientation where awearer is wearing the helmet and facing in a forward direction. Thus,the helmet has a front and forward direction corresponding to theforward direction, a rear or back spaced from the front in an oppositerearward direction, opposite sides laterally spaced apart on a left andright of the front, an upper or top corresponding generally to adirection directed toward the sky and lower or bottom generallycorresponding to a downward direction directed toward the ground.

It should be noted that the helmet assembly described herein issymmetrical across a vertical, front-to-back midplane 167 (FIG. 2) asevidenced by the figures and any description of a right side componentwill also describe the left side component as a mirror image thereof.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a helmet assembly 100 to be worn by a user orwearer 31 (FIG. 7) according to an exemplary embodiment of theinvention. The helmet assembly includes a helmet 134, anaccessory-mounting rim portion 200, such as a halo, attached to thelower edge of the helmet, a mandible operatively connected to the helmetby the accessory-mounting rim portion 200. A protective face shield,such as a transparent visor or transparent face shield 138 is alsooperatively connected to the helmet, substantially between a front ofthe helmet 134 and the mandible 300. A mounting arrangement 142 isoperatively connected to the helmet 134 and to the face shield 138 whichallows movement of the face shield 138 with respect to the helmet. Themounting arrangement 142 includes a shield mount 142 e and a fronthelmet mount 144.

Helmet

Referring to FIGS. 5-10H, the helmet 134 has a conformal shell that moreclosely matches the shape of a user's head as compared with prior arthelmet 10, such as the traditional bell shaped helmets, including theACH. A prior art helmet 10 is shown in FIGS. 11A-F. The bell shapedhelmets get wider, as shown by directional arrows B in FIG. 11B, at thebottom with increased helmet size. This is in contrast to conformalshells of the helmet 134 which do not get wider at the bottom as thesize of the helmet increases.

One reason why bell shaped helmets exist is that they are formed with amatching die set in a mold arrangement. The matching die set includes amale part and a female part, where the helmet is formed their between. Abell shaped helmet is required in such a mold otherwise the helmet couldnot be removed from the female shaped part of the mold—without greatdifficulty, if at all—because the conformal shape of the helmet wasadhere to the female mold portion. However the conformal shell helmet134 may be manufactured using a flexible bladder on at least one side ofthe mold so that the bladder may be collapsed after molding is completeand apart removed without any adherence problems to a female portion ofthe mold such as exists with match die type molds.

FIG. 5-10 shows the helmet 134 having, right and left ear coverage areas146, an upper portion 147, a stiffening ridge 140, a lower rear portion143, a bottom edge, and a plurality of anchors or mounts 115, 116, 118,119. Although four mounts are shown, it is encompassed by the inventionthat one, two or three of the mounts are used. The ear coverage areas146 and the lower rear portion 143 are contiguous with the upper portion147 of the helmet via a stiffening ridge 140. The stiffening ridge 140comprises opposite side stiffening ridge portions 140 c and a rearstiffening ridge portion 140 d. The rear stiffening ridge portion 140 dextends between opposite rear stiffening ridge ends 146 b. The sidestiffening ridge portions 140 c are continuous with the rear stiffeningridge portion 140 d. The rear stiffening ridge 140 d connects the lowerrear portion 143 with the upper portion 147, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The ear coverage areas provide addition space within the helmet toaccommodate a user's ear and communication equipment that may be neededin the ear area. As shown in FIGS. 9, 10C, and 10G, an outside lateraloffset 140 e between an outside surface of the upper portion 147 and anoutside surface of the ear coverage areas 146 is greater than a rearoutside offset 142 a between an outside surface of the upper portion 147and an outside surface of the lower rear portion 143. Similarly, theinside lateral offset 140 f between inside surface of an upper portion147 and inside surface of the ear coverage areas 146 is greater thanrear inside offset 142 b between the inside surface of the upper portion147 and the inside surface of the lower rear portion 143.

The outside lateral offset 140 e increases from the ends 146 b towardthe front of the helmet along the ear coverage areas to a max point inthe ear coverage areas. The stiffening strength of the stiffening ridge140 is enhanced by the fact that the side stiffening ridges 140 c arecontiguous and/or joined with the rear stiffening ridge 140 d. Thestiffening is achieved by the offset of the ear coverage areas 146 andthe lower rear portion 143 from the upper portion 147.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the bottom edge of the helmet comprises atop eyewear area edge or upper brim edge 166, opposite eyewear areaedges 163, opposite ear area lower recessed edges 164, opposite ear areato lower back edge transitions 165, and a lower back edge 162. The topeyewear area edge 166 is contiguous with the respective opposite eyeweararea edges 163. The opposite eyewear area edges 163 are contiguous withthe respective ear area lower recessed edges 164. The lower ear area tolower back edge transitions 165 are contiguous to the areas 164 and arecontiguous with the lower back edge 162. FIG. 7 shows that hisconfiguration results in the helmet having a two-step side profilecreated by the ear area lower recessed edges 164 and the lower back edge162. Also, the stiffening ridge 140 has an upward slope from a topeyewear area edge 166 to the midplane 167 at the back of the helmet.

The side eyewear area edges 163 are recessed at a height and depthrelative to the helmet to create compatibility with eyewear, such asgoggles and visors, and to provide substantially an unobstructed viewfor the user. The maximum distance between the inside surface of theright ear coverage area 146 and the corresponding left ear coverage area146 is less than the prior art ACH military helmet, improving conformitywith a users head.

The helmet comprises an eyewear recessed area 160 and an under-earrecessed area 161. The eyewear recessed area 160 extends from the topeyewear area edge 166 to the bottom edge of the ear area lower edges164. It will be understood that eyewear or visors may extend below theeyewear recessed area 160 when mounted to the helmet. The under-earrecessed area 161 extends from the ear area lower edge 164 to the lowerback edge 162.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the top eyewear area edge 166 slopes upward fromthe opposite stiffening ridges 140 c to the center 166 a of the topeyewear area edge 166 at the midplane 167. The lower back edge 162slopes downward from the ends 162 c, 162 e of the lower back edgetransitions downward toward a center 162 b of the lower back edge at themidplane 167. The center 162 b is the vertically lowest point of thehelmet when upright standard position. A span 168 exists between theends 162 c, 162 e and the center 162 b. The distance between the ends162 c and 162 e is greater than the distance between the opposite ends146 b of the rear stiffening ridge portion 140 d.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 7, 8, and 10F, the rear portion 143 of the helmethas a bottom band or portion 170 extending across the back of the helmetthat corresponds to the under-ear recessed area 161. The bottom portion170 is the portion of the rear portion 143 that extends below the eararea lower recessed edge 164. The bottom portion 170 provides additionrear head and neck protection.

As shown in comparison FIGS. 1OF and 11F, the helmet 134 extends furtherdown the neck of the wearer with the bottom portion 170 than thedepicted prior art helmet.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 10, and 10G, the rear portion 143 has an inwardcurve toward the user in the direction I as the rear portion 143 extendsdownward from the rear stiffening ridge portion 140 d to an inner backface 162 a at the lower back edge 162. The inward curve provides for anoffset 143 a between the stiffening ridge and the inner back face 162 aof the lower back edge 162.

The arc of the upper portion 147 meets the arc of the rear portion 143in the rear stiffening ridge portion 140 d at the rear most point 142 c.The rear most point 142 c of the helmet, when in the upright standardposition, is located at the rear of the helmet in the stiffening ridge140 d. The rear most point 142 c is located above the top eyewear areaedge 166 when the helmet is in the upright standard position, as shownin FIG. 7. The rear stiffening ridge 140 d at the midplane 167 islocated above the top eyewear area edge 166 when the helmet is in theupright standard position. Therefore the rear portion 143 extendsvertically from above top eyewear area edge 166 downward.

The location of the user ear recessed area is provided to allowsituational awareness. The situational awareness is achieved by a closerconformity of the helmet 134 to the user's head as well as the extent towhich the ear coverage areas 146 extend downward. Each of theseattributes allows a user to detect activity in the peripheral part oftheir vision where that vision is not blocked by the helmet. The bottomportion 170 extends below the ear area lower edges 164 and providesadditional protection to the head and neck area, while maintaining theneeded amount of freedom of movement with respect the user's head. Thebottom portion 170 extends laterally from the midplane 167 to the pointwhere the ear area-to-lower back edge transitions 165 begin. Therefore,the bottom portion 170 extends around a user's neck to include a portionof the side of the user's neck as shown in FIG. 7.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10D, the rear portion 143 of helmethas a vertical radius 150 of about 19.7 inches. The slope of the rearportion has an inward trajectory with respect to the center of thehelmet 134. As shown in FIG. 11D, at least one version of a prior arthelmet has a rear portion with a vertical radius of about 25.9 inches.The slope of the rear portion has an outward trajectory with respect tothe center of the helmet 10.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10E, the lower back edge 162 of thehelmet 134 has a horizontal radius 148 of 4.1 inches. At least oneversion of the prior art helmet 10 has a lower edge with a horizontalradius of 4.7 inches.

In one embodiment, the area between the inside surface of the helmet 134and an exemplary user's head is 0.162 square feet, whereas the areabetween the same exemplary user's head and the inside surface of thehelmet 10 is 0.200 square feet.

The inside surface of the helmet 134 is offset from a users head byabout 0.75 inches. A padding 740, shown in FIG. 10H, provided on theinside of the helmet 134 creates the offset between the user's head andthe inside surface of the hard portion of the helmet 134 when worn by auser. The padding may comprise an energy absorbing material 741, 743,745, 747, 751, 761 and a comfort enhancing material 742, 744, 746, 748,750, 760 such as a closed cell foam. In one embodiment, the energyabsorbing material comprises one half inch in thickness, and the comfortenhancing material comprises a one fourth inch in thickness. The energyof absorbing material is attached to a carrier base 764 creating a onepiece design that can be efficiently manufactured and installed. Thecarrier based may comprise fabric. The comfort enhancing material ismounted on, such as being adhered to, a top of the energy absorbingmaterial.

Padding is provided in a forehead contact region 741, 742, two lateralside contact regions 744, 743, 746, 745, and two rear contact regions748, 747, 750, 751. The lateral side contact regions are smaller thanthe forehead contact region as well as the rear contact regions. A tophead central contact region 760, 761 is positioned substantiallycentrally with respect to the forehead contact region, the lateral sidecontact regions, and the rear contact regions. However, it is notrequired that the top head contact region may be located centrally. Aforward intermediate region 752 is located on the carrier base 764between the forehead region and the top contract region. Sideintermediate regions 753,754 are located on the carrier base 764 betweenthe opposite lateral side regions 744, 746 and the central region 760,respectively. Rear intermediate regions 755, 756 are located on thecarrier base 764 between the two rear contact regions 748,750 and thecentral region 760, respectively.

The padding 740 forms a substantially star shape when laid flat. Thecarrier base material 764 of the padding 740 is flexible to conform thepadding to the inside surfaces of the helmet when the padding isinstalled. The backside of the base material 764 may include an adhesiveto secure the padding to the inside surface of the helmet 134.

The offset provided by the padding between the helmet and the user'shead improves blunt force impact performance of the helmet as well asthe backface deformation performance of the helmet. Backface deformationmay be understood as the effect of a non-penetrating projectile on therear face of a strike plate or surface being struck by the projectile.

Referring to FIGS. 5-10, the helmet has a plurality of anchors or mounts115, 116, 118, 119, including an upper center anchor 116, rear anchor115, and a font left anchor 118 and an opposite front right anchor 119.The anchors may be used to connect brackets, or accessories to thehelmet. The anchors are formed into the helmet during manufacture andare permanently affixed to the helmet. This formation process eliminatesthe necessity of any through-holes through the shell of the helmet 134.The center anchor 116 has a base 116 a and a T-projection 116 bextending from the base. The T-projection 116 b having left and rightoverhangs 116 c, 116 d. The right and left anchors are mirror imageidentical so only one will be described in detail. The left anchor 118has a base 118 a and a circular raised formation 118 b having a topsurface with a hole 118 c. The hole may be threaded to receive a screwor bolt. In another embodiment, the anchors may comprise any type ofconnector, such as a snap connector, a rivet connection, an eyeletconnection, a hook connection, etc. The rear anchor 115 is shown moreclearly in FIG. 8A. The rear anchor 115 is located above the rearstiffening ridge 140 d and is centered about the midplane 167. Anchor115 comprises a recess center channel 115 c with an open top and bottom,adjacent opposite resilient right and left side claws 115 a, 115 b forretaining accessories to the anchor. Accessories can either be slidunderneath the overhang portions 115 m of the claws from above or belowwherein the claws would overlying portions of the accessory with theoverhang portions 115 m, or the claws can be configured to resilientlyseparate from each other while an accessory is pressed forwardly ontothe mount 115 wherein the claws would then snap back with the overhangportions 115 m overlying portions of the accessory.

Prior art helmet 10 is shown in FIGS. 11A through 11F. The ACH helmet 10has right and left ear bulges 16 that join with the main helmet shellportion 19. The helmet has a transition 15 that runs along theintersection of the ear bulge 16 and the main helmet shell portion 19.In FIGS. 11B and 11C, a cross-section view is provided of the transition15. The outer ear bulge has a substantially continuous curve towards themain helmet shell portion 19 through a first curve area 16 a. Thetransition 15 extends about the ear bulge 16 in a back portion 15 a, ina top portion 15 b, and in a front portion 15 c as shown in FIGS. 11Aand 11C.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the ear bulges 16 of the helmet 10 terminatebefore reaching the front edge of the helmet at an upper front area 18a. Therefore the front portion 15 c of the transition 15 has a downwardcurve leaving the upper front area 18 a to join the ear bulge to thefront upper edge 22.

Referring to FIG. 10C, the helmet 134 has two angled transition areas140 a, 140 b between the ear coverage areas 146 and the upper portion147 of the helmet. The stiffening ridge 140 is a band that can have asubstantially consistent width W between the two transition areas 140 a,140 b. The transition area 140 b enables the ear coverage areas toachieve a closer conformity with the use's head. Further, the stiffeningridge 140 extends to intersect the front top eyewear area edge 166 andthe ear coverage areas. At the place of intersection between thestiffening ridge 140 and the front top eyewear area edge 166, thestiffening ridge face 140 g of the stiffening ridge forms a portion ofthe front top eyewear area edge 166 (FIG. 10A). The stiffening ridgeface 140 g comprises a transition between the front top eyewear areaedge 166 and the side eyewear area edges 163.

Front Mount

The helmet assembly 100 comprises a front helmet mount 144. In oneembodiment, the mounting arrangement 142 and the face shield 138 is themounting arrangement and visors disclosed in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/875,106, filed Sep. 2, 2010, which is herein incorporated byreference to the extent not inconsistent with the present description.The helmet mount 144 secures the face shield 138 to the helmet 134 viamounting arrangement 142 to the helmet. Alternatively, the helmet mount144 can attach a night vision unit 670 (FIG. 28) to the helmet

As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 12, the front helmet mount 144 extends acrossat least a partial width of the helmet and may be contiguous on theright and left sides of the helmet with a left side rail and a rightside rail (not shown). The helmet mount 144 includes left and right railportions or bracket portions 180, 181 connected by a center portion 182.The left and right bracket portions 180, 181 are mirror image identicalacross the midplane 167 (FIG. 2). The left and right bracket portionsare substantially rectangular when viewed from the front of the helmet.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 12B, the right bracket portion 181 has a recessportion 186 surrounded on its sides by bracket edges defining the areaof the recess portion, at least in part. The bracket edges for eachbracket portion 180, 181 have a bottom inside wall 185, an end insidewall 189, and a top inside wall 183 extending forward from the recessportion 186 (top inside wall not shown in FIG. 12), and a bottom lip 184extending at a right angle from the bottom inside wall 185, a top lip187 extending at a right angle from the top inside wall 183, and an endlip 188 extending at a right angle from the end inside wall 189. Thelips extend inward from the respective inside walls slightly overlyingthe recess portion 186. In effect, the bottom lip 184 extends verticallytoward the top lip 187, the top lip 187 extends vertically toward thebottom lip 184, and the end lip 188 extends towards a center of themount, to create an accessory engaging configuration whereby anattachment member of an accessory can be captured and secured betweenthe lips, the inside walls, and the recess portion. The recess portionof the right bracket portion is enclosed at the right end by the insidewall 189 and the corresponding lip 188. The right and left bracketportions 181, 180 may have stops 180 a, 180 b (FIG. 3) that block atleast part of the passage between the recessed portion of the left orright bracket portions and the center portion 182.

The center portion 182 has a substantially vertical height which isnarrower than of the recessed portion of the right and left bracketportions. The center portion 182 has top and bottom walls with top andbottom lips 182 c, 182 d. At the lateral ends of the left and rightbracket portions is a mounting hole 190 within a recess 191 forreceiving the head of a screw, bolt, rivet or other fastener. Themounting holes 190 are configured to align with the left and rightanchors 118, 119 of the helmet for securing the mount 144 to the helmet.Additionally the mount 144 and center upper portion 192 has a T-shapedreceiving area for engaging with the upper center anchor 116. TheT-shaped receiving area engages the top upper center anchor 116,particularly portions of the overhangs 116 c, 116 d of the T-projection116 b.

Extending from the right and left bracket portions 181, 180 arecorresponding lateral accessory engagement portions 195. The lateralaccessory engagement portions 195 can be formed in unitary fashion withthe rest of the mount or can be engaged or fastened to the bracketportions 180, 181. The edges for each lateral accessory engagementportion 195 define a recess portion 194 and include a bottom inside wall195 a, a front inside wall 195 c, and a top inside wall 195 b extendinglaterally from the recess portion 194, and a lower lip 196 extending ata right angle from the bottom inside wall 195 a, an upper lip 197extending at a right angle from the top inside wall 195 b, and a frontlip 198 extending at a right angle from the front inside wall 195 c. Thelips 196, 197, 198 extend inward from the respective inside wallsslightly overlying the recess portion 194. In effect, the lower lip 196extends vertically toward the upper lip 197, the upper lip 197 extendsvertically toward the lower lip 196, and the front lip 198 extendstowards a rear of the helmet, to create an accessory engagingconfiguration whereby an attachment member of an accessory can becaptured and secured between the lips, the inside walls, and the recessportion. The lateral end or rearward extending area 199 of each lateralaccessory engagement portions is open to receive and secure accessoriesor side rails.

The cross-sections of the engagement portions 180, 181 and the lateralengagement portions 195 are shown in FIG. 12B.

As shown in FIG. 12A, a tactical LED 201 array may be mounted to eitherof the lateral accessory engagement portions 195. The lateral accessoryengagement portions 195 may also receive a camera, strobe light, orother accessory. The accessories mounted to the lateral accessoryengagement portion lips 196, 197 may connect with power and dataconduits provided on or in the accessory-mounting rim portion as forpowering or receiving data therethrough. Power and data ports (notshown) may be provided in the recess 194, the lips 196 or other areas ofthe lateral accessory engagement portions for transmitting power or datato and/or from the accessory.

Each of the right and left bracket portions 180, 181 may comprise recessgrooves 182 a, 182 b, in the respective recess portions 186, along therespective bottom bracket inside wall 185 and top bracket inside wall183. The recess grooves 182 a, 182 b may be used to secure an accessoryto the left or right bracket portion 180, 181.

Each of the lateral engagement portions 195 may comprise recess grooves194 b, 194 a, in the respective recess portions 194, along therespective bottom inside wall 195 a and top inside wall 195 b (see FIGS.12, 12B, 20 and 21) . The recess grooves 194 b, 194 a may be used tosecure an accessory to the lateral engagement portion 195.

The front mount 144 may comprise electrical and computer data conduits.The conduits are for transferring power and or computer or electronicdata from an accessory through the accessory-mounting rim portion 200 toa power source and/or auxiliary computing or storage device. Each of theleft and right bracket portions may comprise electrical and computerdata conduit connector pad for providing a connection between one ormore conduits contained within the mount 144 and an accessory and forfacilitating the transfer of power or data therebetween. Further, themount 144 may contain any connector known to provide a detachableconnection between a conduit and an accessory or a conduit and anotherconduit.

In one embodiment, the helmet mount may have a vent member 450 with twovents 451,452, as shown in FIG. 2. The vent member attaches to thecenter portion 182 and extends laterally to position the vents 451, 452in the left and right bracket portions 180,181 of the mount. The vent isconfigured to draw air in the direction F up through the inside of thehelmet assembly and out the vents 451, 452. The vents are in flowchannel communication through a passage (not shown), with the areainside of the face shield, i.e., between the face shield and the helmet.

Accessory-Mounting Rim Portion

Referring to FIGS. 3, 13, and 14, the helmet assembly 100 comprises anaccessory-mounting rim portion 200, such as a halo, that can beconfigured to conform to the bottom edge of the helmet 134. The loweredge or bottom wall has a top eyewear area edge or wall 266, sideeyewear area edges or walls 263, ear area lower edges or walls 264, eararea-to-lower back edge transitions or walls 265, and a lower back edgeor wall 262 all of which are configured to be fit over the correspondingportions of the bottom edge 166, 163, 164, 165, 162 of the helmet 134.The top side of the accessory-mounting rim portion 200 has an innerchannel 220 surrounded by an outer wall 207 and an inner wall 205, andthe bottom wall of the accessory-mounting rim portion. The inner wallcomprises a number of lips 210, 211, 212 that can be used forpositioning the accessory-mounting rim portion to the helmet. In oneembodiment, the accessory-mounting rim portion is affixed to the loweredge of the helmet with a glue or adhesive.

The accessory-mounting rim portion comprises hook anchor holes 263 a atthe intersection of the side eyewear area edges 263 and the ear arealower edges 264. The hook anchor holes are configured to receive anchorhooks 340 to secure the mandible 300, 400 in a pivotal manner to theaccessory-mounting rim portion. The accessory-mounting rim portion alsocomprises locking pin holes 265 b located on the ear area to lower backedge transitions 265. The locking pin holes 265 b are located on a pinstrike plate 265 a.

The accessory-mounting rim portion 200 has electrical power and/orcomputer data conduits 221. While the conduits are shown as a singledashed line 221, it is understood the conduits 221 can representmultiple wires or conduits each carrying electrical power, or data, orboth. The conduits are designed to transport data and power to and fromthe rear of the accessory-mounting rim portion to the front and/or sidesof the accessory-mounting rim portion. The conduits may comprise wiresthat are integral in the accessory-mounting rim portion positionedbetween the upper and lower surfaces of the accessory-mounting rimportion. Alternatively, wires could be run in the channel 220. Inanother embodiment, the materials which comprise the accessory-mountingrim portion may be suitable for conducting electricity and/ortransferring power and/or data. The accessory-mounting rim portion maycomprise one or more power contact pads 222 and one or more data contactpads 224 for connecting with a front or side mounted, which may includethe front mount 144. While the contact pads 222, 224 are shown on thefront right portion of the accessory-mounting rim portion, they may beplaced elsewhere on the accessory-mounting rim portion where it isdesired to provide a power or data connection. It is recognized thataccessories like a night vision unit may be attached to the mount 144and that the mount 144 may comprise conduits which carry power and datathrough the mount from the accessory-mounting rim portion to theaccessory. The mount may comprise contact pads (not shown) that contactthe surface of the accessory-mounting rim portion 200 at the contactpads 222, 224. Further the accessory-mounting rim portion may compriseany connector known for connecting power conduits for data conduits. Theconnector may be utilized at the front of the accessory-mounting rimportion, at the side of the accessory-mounting rim portion, or any otherposition along the accessory-mounting rim portion where it is desired toutilize data or power for an accessory.

In one embodiment, a rear tower 303 is attached to the rear of theaccessory-mounting rim portion 200, as shown in FIGS. 13-14C. The towermay comprise a battery or battery pack 305 as shown in FIGS. 4, 13, 14,and 14C, and a securing tab, hook or other connection 302, and anaccessory compartment 309. The securing connection 302 allows connectionbetween the rear tower 303 and the accessory-mounting rim portion byfitting between the helmet and a front edge (closest to the helmet) ofthe accessory-mounting rim portion or by fitting into a top hole in theaccessory-mounting rim portion. The accessory compartment 309 maycomprise a GPS unit which may be capable of working with a globalpositioning system (GPS) block IIF satellite system or other globalpositioning system protocols. The battery 305 may be detachable from thetower 303 or may be integrated therewith. The battery may have a snap inconnection with the accessory-mounting rim portion 200 which may bereleasable by pressing the button 301 near the base of the tower. Thebattery is signal connection with the conduit 221 of theaccessory-mounting rim portion when the battery is connected to theaccessory-mounting rim portion. The battery may also be signal connectedwith the port 230 in the back of the accessory-mounting rim portion. Thebattery and the tower are configured to conform to the shape of the rearportion of the helmet 134. Therefore the battery in the tower will bepositioned against the helmet or closely in relation thereto to supportthe tower and the battery. In addition, the tower 303 has a catch strip304 that is configured to lay in the recess center channel 115 c of therear anchor 115 and be retained by the right and left side claws 115 a,115 b of the rear anchor. Thus, the tower is captured at its lowest endby the tab 302 into the accessory-mounting rim portion and preventedfrom vertical dislodgement by the catch strip 304 being heldhorizontally by the claws 115 a, 115 b of the top mount 115 andprevented from vertical movement by the shoulders 303 a of the towerabutting a bottom of the mount 115.

FIG. 14A shows an alternative arrangement utilizing a larger extendedlife battery 315. The battery has lateral wings 315 a, 315 b that extendlaterally from the tower and conform to the contour of the helmet. FIG.14B shows a further alternative embodiment where the battery is not usedwith the tower but instead a power cable 316 is connectable to the port230 of the accessory-mounting rim portion with the connector 317, whichis attached to the cable 316. Alternative power may be provided from anexternal power source and conveyed through the cable 316. An alternativeembodiment, the cable 316 may carry data from an external data sourcesuch as a computer data storage or computing unit. When data is conveyedvia the port 230, it may be transferred via the data conduit 221 to andfrom an accessory via the accessory-mounting rim portion. The cable maybe used to charge the batteries 305, 315 when they are attached to theaccessory-mounting rim portion.

Mandible

The helmet assembly 100 may include a mandible, such as mandible 300,400. The mandible 300 is that shown in FIGS. 1-4, and 15-17. Themandible 300 has left and right opposite side portions 330, 331connected by a center portion 310. The center portion 310 is configuredto cover the mouth area of a user when mounted to a helmet. The centerportion may also cover a portion of the nose of a user when the mandibleis mounted to a helmet. The center portion 310 extends vertically higherthan the side portions 330, 331. The side portions 330, 331 areconfigured to cover a cheek area of the user. The side portions 330, 331are configured to be positioned below the eyes of a user and may extendbelow the jaw line of user when the mandible is attached to a helmetworn by user. The side portions 330, 331 each comprise scooped loweredges 333, 337 in order to provide maneuverability to a user andcompatibility with weapons that may be shoulder mounted. Thecompatibility with shoulder mounted weapons, such as a rifle enables theuser to aim the weapon while at the same time wearing the mandible.

The scooped lower edges 333, 337 are higher or raised as compared withthe lower front edges 339. The left and right portions 330, 331 comprisean upper portion 334 and a lower portion 332. The upper portion 334tapers from a side ridge 336 inward as it extends to an upper edge 338.The lower portion 332 tapers from the side ridge 336 inward as itextends to the bottom including the scooped lower edge 333 and the lowerfront edges 339. The upper edge 338 and the upper surface of the centerportion 310 may be configured to engage the face shield 138 as shown inFIGS. 1-3. A gasket may be provided on the upper edge 338 and the uppersurface of the center portion 310 for a sealing engagement with the faceshield 138 or a lens carrier or frame, when the lens is in the deployedposition as shown in FIG. 1.

The cover 320 is pivotally connected to the center portion 310 andconfigured to cover the front of the mandible to provide protection to auser's mouth and chin areas. The cover has a least three positions, aclosed position 320 c such as shown in FIG. 3, and open position 320 bsuch as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, and a mandible start-to-releaseposition 320 a shown in FIG. 16 where the cover is moved to a higherposition than is shown in FIG. 15. In one embodiment, the cover iscontinuously movable and positionable between the closed position and amaximum open position. The cover 320 has a pivot bar 322. The bar 322extends horizontally from the vertical face of the cover in the closedposition. The bar 322 pivots about pin 324 as shown in FIG. 16. The bar322 is positioned within a recess 302 a and extends from opposite sides304 of the recess 302 a.

The center portion 310 has a front surface 312 with ridges 314 a, 314 b,318, which may be continuous. The ridges extend about a least threesides of the front surface 312. A cover 320 has recesses 321, 323, whichmay be continuous, which corresponds to the ridges 314 a, 314 b, 318whereby the ridges engage the recesses of the cover when the cover is inthe closed position. The ridges engagement with the recesses secures thecover against lateral movement in the direction C shown in FIG. 15 whenthe cover is in the closed position. A gasket may be provided on thefront surface 312, the ridge, or on the front cover to seal theconnection between the cover and the mandible when the cover is in theclosed position.

The upper edge 338 of the side portions 330, 331 extends inward until abreakpoint or inflection 341. The inflection 341 is the point at orafter which the mandible is configured to contact with theaccessory-mounting rim portion 200 or a helmet edge. A mounting contactsurface 335 a, 335 b extends from the inflection 341 rearward anddownwards to a side ridge 336. The upper mounting contact surface 335 ais configured to contact the ear area lower edges 264 of theaccessory-mounting rim portion 200 and the lower mounting contactsurface 335 b is configured to contact the ear area to lower back edgetransitions 265 of the accessory-mounting rim portion 200. Below theside ridge 336 the rear of the mandible has a forward sloping section332 a which connects the side edge 336 to the scooped lower edges 333.

Referring to FIGS. 15-19, the mandible comprises a mandible mountingsystem 370. Only one side of the mandible mounting system 370 will bedescribed with the understanding that an identical configuration wouldbe present on the opposite side of the helmet and mandible, i.e., therewould be two pins, two hooks, two cords, etc. The mounting system 370comprises an anchoring hook 340 and pin engagement system 365, and thecover 320. The pin engagement system 365 comprises a pin 360. The pin360 comprises an engagement portion 361, a recess portion 362, and ananchor portion 363. The recess portion 362 connects the engagementportion 361 to the anchor portion 363.

Engagement portion 361 and the recess portion 362 are configured tooperate in the pin channel 374 of the mandible. The pin channel 374extends to the rear of the mandible to exit holes in mounting contactsurfaces 335 b so that the pin can engage locking pin holes 265 b of theaccessory-mounting rim portion 200. The pin channel 374 is open to areduced diameter channel portion 379 a through an opening in a base endwall 379 opposite to the exit holes. The reduced diameter channelportion 379 a opens into a slide channel 372. The slide channel 372allows the anchor 363 of the pin to move longitudinally within thisslide channel as shown by the arrow D, in FIG. 17. The slide channellimits the movement of the anchor 363 and thereby limits the travel ofthe pin 360.

The pin engagement system 365 comprises a spring 362 a (shownschematically). The spring is fit around the recess portion 362 of thepin within the pin channel 374 braced between a wall 361 a of theengagement portion 361 of the pin and the base end wall 379 of thechannel. The slide channel extends between a rear end 373 and a frontend 375 of the slide channel. The rear end 373 is open to the reduceddiameter channel portion 379 a to receive the recess portion 362 of thepin therethrough. The spring 362 a, by being compressed, pushes betweenthe base end wall 379 and the wall 361 a of the engagement portion 361to draw the anchor 363 against the rear end 373 of the slide channel372. The anchor 363 is attached to a cable element, such as a cord 351of the cable 350. The cable element 351 may be attached around theanchor 363 or may be attached to a front surface of the anchor 363. Thecable element 351 is movable within the cable 350.

The cable element is moved within the cable 350 by the cover 320. In oneembodiment shown in FIG. 16, the cable element 351 a extends between thefront surface 312 and the inside surface of the cover 320. The cableelement may have a slack portion at an end opposite the pin. The covermay house the slack portion. The slack portion has an end with ananchor. The anchor is retained within a container portion of the coverwhen the cover is in a closed position. The slack portion reels from thecover as a cover moves upwards towards an open position. When the coverreaches a predefined release position 320 a, the anchor of the slackportion engages an anchor stop of the cover 320 and the cable element351 is drawn through the cable 350 to draw the pin 360 forward. Once thecover is moved past the release position, the cable element begins to bedrawn forward which draws the pin 360 forward releasing it fromengagement with the locking pin holes 265 b of the accessory-mountingrim portion. When the pin is released, the mandible may be pivoted aboutthe hooks 340 temporarily and then moved back down to re-engage the pins360 with the locking pin holes 265 b of the accessory-mounting rimportion. Alternatively the hooks may be disengaged with the hook anchors263 b and the mandible may be removed from the accessory-mounting rimportion.

A user is allowed to open the cover and permit hydration or access tothe mouth without releasing the mandible from the accessory-mounting rimportion by moving the cover anywhere between the closed position and afull release position 320 e. Because the cover operates to release thepin engagement system 365, a user may remove the mandible by using onlyone hand. This is accomplished by the user lifting the front cover fromthe start-to-release position 320 a to the full release position 320 e,where the pins disengage with the locking pin holes and then usercontinues lifting the cover or other part of the mandible to release thehooks from the hook anchors 263 b.

In another embodiment, the cable 351 b runs up the center portion 310and connects to a winding mechanism that is attached to the pin 324. Thewinding mechanism pulls the cable element towards the front of themandible when a user draws the cover 320 between the release position320 a and the full release position 320 e. And this draws the anchorportion 363 forward in the slide channel 372 to draw the pin 360forward. In one embodiment, the winding mechanism has a detentmechanism. The detent mechanism prevents the cable element from beingpulled through the cable 350 until the cover reaches the releaseposition 320 a. Once the cover is moved past a predefined releasedposition, the cable element begins to be drawn forward which draws theengagement portion of the pin 360 forward releasing it from engagementwith the accessory-mounting rim portion.

Referring to FIG. 18, to attach the mandible to the accessory-mountingrim portion 200, the front of the mandible is raised up toward the topeyewear area edge 266 of the accessory-mounting rim portion and theanchor hooks 340 engage the hook anchor holes 263 a of theaccessory-mounting rim portion. Then the front of the mandible ispivoted down away from the top eyewear area edge 266 and at the sametime the rear of the mandible is pivoted up about the anchor hook 340 inthe direction E shown in FIG. 18 until the pin 360 engages the lockingpin holes 265 b and the mounting contact surface 335 a, 335 b contact orare in close proximity to the ear area lower cut edges 264 and ear areato lower back edge transitions 265 of the accessory-mounting rimportion, correspondingly. Before the pins 360 engages the locking pinholes 265 b the pins contact the strike plate 265 a there the movementof the mandible relative to the accessory-mounting rim portioncompresses the pin inwards towards the mandible until the pin is in linewith the locking pin holes 265 b. When the pins engage the lockingpinholes and springs into the pinholes under the force of the spring,the mandible is secured against the accessory-mounting rim portionbetween the hook anchor and the pin.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show an alternate shorter profile mandible 400 which issimilar to mandible 300 except as described and shown. The alternatemandible 400 is similar to the first full mandible 300 except that thealternate mandible 400 does not have the lower portion 332 found on thefirst mandible 300. The shorter profile of the mandible 400 allowsincreased compatibility with shoulder mounted weapons. Further, itprovides additional freedom of movement to the user. The upper portion434 of the mandible 400 is similar to the upper portion 334 of themandible 300. Correspondingly, the center portion 310 of the mandible300 is similar to the center portion 410 of the mandible 400. The cover420 of the mandible 400 is configured and operates in the same manner tothe cover 320 of the mandible 300. The mandible 400 has the samemounting system as the mandible mounting system 370 of the mandible 300.The mandible provides ballistic resistance, impact resistance, and blastresistance to the user's cheek, mandible, and partial neck regions.

The mandible may be made of a rigid material and or may carry aremovable ballistic fabric that is carried around a frame structure. Inother embodiments the mandible may comprise a wireframe guard withoutany ballistic protective material surrounding it. In one embodiment thelower portion 332 comprises they semi-flexible frame or material. Semiflexible frame mandibles or guards provide the benefit of conforming toa weapon when the wearer is aiming with a stock of the weapon proximatethe cheek of a user to enhance the user's ability to use citingfunctions of weapons. In one embodiment, the mandible extends downwardto cover a least a portion of the user's neck.

In one embodiment, the mandible is any of the mandibles disclosed inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/875,106, filed Sep. 2, 2010, whichis herein incorporated by reference to the extent not inconsistent withthe present description.

Head's Up Display

The helmet assembly 100 may comprise a heads-up display usable with thefront mount 144 as shown in FIGS. 21, 22, 22A, 22B. FIGS. 22A and 22Bshow the heads-up display transparently so that some internal componentsare visible. The heads-up display 500 has a recessed area 515 with anupper engagement rail 510 and a lower engagement rail 511 for engagingthe right or left bracket portions 180, 181 of the front mount 144. Theheads-up display 500 has a display screen 502. The display screen 502has a deployed position as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 and a retractedstandby position (not shown) where the display screen 502 is retractedupward in the direction G as shown in FIG. 52 to withdraw the screenfrom the user's view and to withdraw the screen within a heads-updisplay 500 or within a slotted or recessed area (not shown) in thefront mount 144, such as in the side bracket portion 180 or 181.

An upper portion of the upper engagement rail 510 comprises an upperrail lip 512 and a lower portion of the lower engagement rail 511comprises a lower rail lip 513. The upper rail lip 512 engages theinside surface of lip 187 of the front bracket and the lower bracket lip513 engages the inside surface of lip 184 of the front bracket portionto secure the heads-up display 500 to one of the left or right bracketportions 180, 181. A heads-up display has a release mechanism which whenthe release mechanism is activated, for example via button 503, theupper engagement rail 510 and the lower engagement rail 511 draw closerto each other in the gap area 514 to release the lips 512, 513 from thelips 184 and 187 of the front bracket portion.

In some embodiments, the release mechanism is that shown in FIGS. 22Aand 22B. The release mechanism comprises the button 503 that isconnected to a guide plate 504 by a protruding connecting bar 504 a thatare securely connected in a recess of the button 503. The guide platehas lower diagonal guide slots 505 a, 505 b and upper diagonal guideslots 505 c, 505 d. The lower engagement rail has two lower guide rods506 a, 506 b that are fixed to the lower engagement rail. The upperengagement rail has upper guide rods 506 c, 506 d that are fixed to theupper engagement rail. The guide rods extend transversely to thelongitudinal orientation of the guide plate 504 and pass through therespective guide slots. When the button 503 is pushed in the direction Hthe guide plate 504 moves in direction H relative to the body 519 ofheads-up display 500 and the lower guide rods 506 a, 506 b are drivenupward in the direction J by the lower edge of each of the lowerdiagonal guide slots 505 a, 505 b. Simultaneously, the upper guide rodsare driven downward in the direction I by the upper edge of each of theupper diagonal guide slots 505 c, 505 d. As the upper and lower guiderods are fixed to the upper and lower engagement rails, then likewisethe upper engagement rail 510 is driven downward in the direction I andthe lower engagement rail 511 is driven upward in the direction J by themovement of the guideplate relative to the guide pins. In this way theupper engagement rail 510 and the lower engagement rail 511 draw closerto each other in the gap area 514 to a contracted position to releasethe lips 512, 513 from the lips 184 and 187 of the front bracketportion. In some embodiments the upper and lower engagement railscontact each other in the gap area 514 when in the contracted position.In some embodiments there a spring 504 m (shown schematically) thatbiases the button 503 and/or the guide plate 504 relative to the body519 of heads-up display 500 in the direction opposite of direction H sothat the upper engagement rail 510 and the lower engagement rail 511 arebiased toward the expanded position as shown in FIGS. 22, 22A, and 22B.

The heads-up display 500 has data and power connections (not shown) thatare connectable with power and data connections within the front mountor bracket portions 180, 181 which are in turn in communication with theaccessory-mounting rim portion 200 and the power and data connectionsprovided therethrough.

As is shown in FIG. 21 the display screen 502 can be positioned behindthe face shield 138 when the display screen is in the deployed position.The face shield or the frame or gasket thereof and/or the mount 144 areconfigured to have a gap or slot to allow the display screen to slidebetween the face shield or visor and the helmet. In this configuration,the visor, such as a visor with a tint, would not obscure the data orimages being displayed on the display screen 502. In addition, the visorwill protect the screen from environmental hazards. In one embodimentthe display screen 502 is a transparent so that the display screen doesnot create a blind spot in the field of view of the user. In thisconfiguration the user may be able to see through the data and imagesdisplayed on the transparent display to maintain awareness of the user'senvironment. The heads-up display 500 may be amounted on either theright or left side bracket portions 180, 181 of the front mount 144.Alternatively, the display screen can remain outside the face shield inthe deployed position.

A recessed area 515 allows the heads-up display 500 to be a mounted inclose conformity with the helmet in a low-profile design. Therefore thetop portion 516 may be in close proximity or in contact with the helmet134 and likewise the display screen support 517 positions the displayscreen 502 on the interior side of the face shield 138 and the visorssupport frame. In addition the center portion 518 has a curved profileso as to allow the upward movement of the visor.

An external heads-up display 520 is shown in FIGS. 23, 23A. The externalheads-up display 520 has a base unit 527 with a display screen 522. Acable is connected to the base unit 526. The cable is capable ofcarrying data and electrical power the unit. The cable may connect tothe rear of the accessory-mounting rim portion or may connect to anexternal source. The base unit 527 is supported by a supportingmechanism which includes a first arm 524 having a first ball mountconnection 525 to a first base 530 and a second ball mount connection529 connected to the base unit 527. Each ball mount comprises a ball 525a, 529 a, a ball support shaft 525 a, 529 b extending from eachrespective ball, and a ball receiving recess. Each ball is received inthe respective ball recess on either the base unit 527 or the first base530. Each ball recess surrounds the ball 525 a, 529 a a sufficientamount to retain the ball 525 a, 529 a in the respective ball recess.The first arm 524 has the second ball mount connection 529 at an endopposite the first ball mount connection 525. The second ball mountconnection is received in the ball recess in the top surface 527 a ofthe base unit 527. Extending from the ball recess is an armaccommodation depression 527 b. The arm accommodation depression isrecessed below the top surface 527 a of the base unit 527. The armaccommodation depression allows a greater range of movement of the baseunit relative to the arm.

In some embodiments, the first arm 524 may comprise a hollow portion 524a that receives the ball support shafts 525 b, 529 b at opposite ends.The support shafts are of a lesser diameter than the hollow portion 524a to allow a greater range of motion at the first and second ballmounts.

The first base 530 has a thumbscrew 528. The first base 530 connects toa connecting cylinder 532 which connects to an attachment base 537. Insome embodiments, the first base 520 is integrally formed with theconnecting cylinder 532. The first base 530 is pivotable about the axisof the cylinder 532. The thumbscrew provides compression friction tosecure the first base 530 in a user selected position about the axis ofthe cylinder after it's been manipulated into the desired position bythe user between the thumbscrew and the attachment base 537. Theattachment base 537 has a lower attaching lip 534 a and an upperattaching lip 534 b at the bottom and top for engaging the lips 184, 187of the front bracket portion to secure the external heads up display tothe front bracket portion. In some embodiments the upper attaching lipis shorter than the lower attaching lip.

In some embodiments, the lower attaching lip 534 a is drawn upward bypressing the button 535 so that lower attaching lip 543 a comes out frombehind lip 184 and the attachment base 537 can be removed from the frontbracket portion. In some embodiments, the upper attaching lip 534 b isdrawn downward into the attachment base 537 by pressing the button 535so that attaching lip 543 b comes out from behind lip 187 and theattachment base 537 can be removed from the respective front bracketportion 180, 181. In some embodiments, both the upper and lowerattaching lips are drawn downward and upward respectively when thebutton 525 is pressed to release the attachment base 527 from the frontmount. The movement of either or both of the lower and upper attachmentlips 534 a, 534 b may be achieved with the button 535 attached to amechanism (not show) similar or identical to that used in heads updisplay 500 for moving the upper and lower engagement rails 510, 511relative to each other.

Communications System

The helmet assembly 100 may have a communications system 550 as shown inFIGS. 24 and 31A. The communication system 550 has a pair of ear cups560, 570 and power wires 582, 584, data wires 583, 585, and an optionalmicrophone 561. The power wires and data wires connect to power and dataports at the rear of the accessory-mounting rim portion. The wires arecarried in the wiring conduit 580 that follows the lower back edge 262of the accessory-mounting rim portion 200. The wiring conduit 580 may becomprised of a rubber or other flexible material. In one embodimentpower and data is carried over at a single wire. In another embodiment,ear cups are battery powered and communicate wirelessly with the datasource. The power and or data ports 571, 571 a are located on oppositelateral sides of the ear cups. The wires have connectors 582 a, 584 athat are connectable to the power and/or data ports.

The ear cups 560, 570 have a padded region 562 that defines a perimeterof the ear cups and surrounds a recess portion 564. A padded region 562may be configured to closely conform around a user's ear. The ear cupsmay be configured to provide ear protection against predefined decibellevels of audio sound originating outside the ear cups, such as might becreated by machine operating noise, gunfire, or explosions. The recessportion 564 may comprise one or more speakers for delivering sound to auser's ear. The speakers may be connected to a communication device forcommunicating with other soldiers or a command center.

As the bulge of the ear coverage areas 146 is reduced in comparison withcertain prior art helmets to achieve a closer conformity of the helmetwith a user's head, the ear cups 560, 570 must have a lower profile inorder to fit between the helmet and a user's head. Therefore the earcups have a reduced thickness as compared with ear cups useable withcertain prior art helmets. The thickness being the distance between theoutermost surface of the padded region 562 and the outermost surface ofthe opposite side 563 of the ear cups. A microphone 561 may be mountedto one or more of the ear cups and extent a distance toward a user'smouth as shown in FIG. 31A. Alternatively, a microphone may be mountedto an inside surface of the mandible or other convenient place.Microphone wiring may be routed through the mandible to communicate withthe conduit of the accessory-mounting rim portion.

Helmet Retention System

A helmet retention system 600 may be used with helmet 134 as shown inFIG. 29, or other helmets, such as helmet 90 shown in FIGS. 25-27. Thehelmet retention system is substantially a mirror image identical acrossthe midplane 167 of the helmet, therefore a description of one side willexplain the other. The helmet retention system 600 comprises a frontstrap system 610 and a lower strap system 620. The front strap system610 has a first reeling strap 616, a first contact strap 612, and afirst reel 631. The lower strap system 620 has a second reeling strap626, a second contact strap 622, and a second reel 632. The first andsecond reels are housed in a reel housing 630. The reel housing 630 isenclosed in a soft armor neck pad for contacting the rear of a user'sneck and/or head. In another embodiment, the reel housing may comprisethe accessory-mounting rim portion such as shown in FIG. 4, with a firstreal 633, and a second reel 634.

Referring to the front strap system 610, the first reeling strap 616 isanchored at one end 618 to the helmet at a forward location adjacent auser's temple by a front anchor 643 at both sides of the helmet. In oneembodiment, the front anchor is located on the accessory-mounting rimportion 200. Whether located on the helmet or on the accessory-mountingrim portion the front anchor is generally located between a user's eyeand a user's ear, such as shown in FIG. 25. A downward extending portion616 a extends downward and is fed through a loop 614 attached to thefirst contact strap 612 (see FIG. 26B). After the loop 614, an upwardextending portion 616 b extends upward from the loop adjacent to, and insome versions substantially parallel to, the downward extending portion616 a until the first reeling strap reaches a first front system block641. The first reeling strap 616 slides over the first block 641 andthereafter the first reeling strap extends rearward along a rearwardextending portion 616 c toward the rear of the helmet on a slightlydeclining angle to second front system block 642. The reeling strap 616slides over the second block 642 and downward and forward to a thirdblock 645 then rearward to the reel housing 630 and then to the firstreel 631 with a reeling strap portion 616 d.

The reels 631,632 are substantially the same and an exemplary reelindicated 631, 632 is shown in FIG. 26A. Both reels 631, 632 comprise acenter hub 636 about which each reel spins. Both reels 631, 632 arecircular and have a channel 635 defined by the outer disk walls 637,638. The channel is for reeling, holding, and releasing the respectivereeling straps 616, 626.

In one embodiment, the reel 631 may also include an anchor or fixationwhere a reeling strap is held at some place along a length of thereeling strap that is not an end of the reeling strap. The reeling strap616 can be anchored at a midpoint along its length in the reel, wherethe length includes the reeling strap 616 on both sides of the helmet.Turning the reel 631 in a first direction draws both portions 616 d, 616e of the reeling straps 616 located on opposite sides of the helmet intothe reel and thereby increase the tension on the reeling strap 616 onboth sides of the helmet and the associated contact straps 612, byraising the loops 614 on both sides of the helmet. Turning the reel in asecond direction, opposite of the first direction, will spool out thereeling strap portions 616 d, 616 e in both direction and therebyrelease tension on the reeling straps 616 on both sides of the helmetand release tension on the contact straps 612 by lowering the loops 614on both sides of the helmet.

As the reeling strap enters the reel 631 with reeling strap portion 616d, it can be anchored to the real as just described, and/or just woundaround the reel a predetermined number of turns, and may be further/orlesser wound around the reel a number of times depending on the desiredrotary position of the reel. The reeling strap portion 616 e will extendout of the reel along to the opposite side of the helmet as shown inFIG. 26A. The reeling strap portion 616 e is wound on the reel 631 insimilar fashion in a same rotary direction. On the opposite side of thehelmet, the reeling strap 616 continues from the strap portion 616 e ina configuration mirror image identical to that shown in FIG. 25 and thereeling strap end is anchored in place in a mirror image identicallocation opposite that shown in FIG. 25. Therefore, opposite ends of thereeling strap 616 are anchored to the helmet in opposite front templeareas of the helmet or accessory-mounting rim portion. Likewise, thefirst contact strap 612 continues under a user's chin as shown in FIG.25 to engage the first reeling strap 616 at a loop 614 on the oppositeside of the helmet.

The front strap system 610 is configured to increase or decrease thedownward tension in a forward area between a helmet 10 and the user'shead. Turning the first reel will move the reeling strap 616 and theposition of the loops 614 to move up or down in the direction H shown inFIG. 25 depending on the direction that the first reel 631 is turned.

The lower strap system 620 operates similar to that of the front strapsystem 610 but the lower strap system 620 is positioned differently thanthe front strap system. The second reeling strap 626 is anchored at oneend 628 at a rear position of the helmet by a rear anchor 644. Theanchor 644 may be positioned on the helmet behind the rear of a user'shead when viewed from the side as shown in FIG. 25. In one embodiment,the anchor 644 is located on the accessory-mounting rim portion in anarea on or near the lower back edge 262. The second reeling strap 626extends from the anchor 644 downward along a downward extending portion626 a and forward to a first lower system block 646. The first block maybe on the helmet, on the accessory-mounting rim portion, on the reelhousing. The second reeling strap 626 then extends forward toward ausers ear, on a forward portion 626 b to a loop 624 attached to thesecond contact strap 622. The second reeling strap 626 loops back aroundloop 624 (see FIG. 26B) and extends rearward along rearward portions 626c, 626 d to the second reel 632. The rearward portion 626 c traveladjacent, and some configurations, substantially parallel to the forwardportion 626 b.

As the second reeling strap 626 enters the reel 632 with strap portion626 d, it can be anchored or fixed to the reel at some place along itslength, and/or just wound around the reel a predetermined number ofturns, and may be further/or lesser wound around the reel a number oftimes depending on the desired position of the reel, and reeling strapportion 626 e will extend out of the reel along to the opposite side ofthe helmet as shown in FIG. 26A. On the opposite side of the helmet, thereeling strap 626 continues in a configuration mirror image identical tothat shown in FIG. 25 and the reeling strap end is anchored in place toan anchor 644 in a mirror image identical location opposite that shownin FIG. 25. The reeling strap portion 626 e is wound on the reel 632 insimilar fashion in a same rotary direction. On the opposite side of thehelmet, the reeling strap 626 continues from the strap portion 626 e ina configuration mirror image identical to that shown in FIG. 25.

Therefore, opposite ends of the reeling strap are anchored to the helmetin opposite rear areas of the helmet. Likewise the second contact strap622 is configured to continue over the front of a user's chin as shownin FIG. 25 to engage the second reeling strap 626 at a loop 624 on both,opposite sides of the helmet. The open area chin cup 621 configurationprovided by the first contact strap 612 and the second contact strap 622and the gap therebetween below the contact or cross point 611 securesthe contact with the users chin while leaving an open area of the userschin for a more comfortable fit. Further, the open configuration in thechin area does not interfere with weapons sighting and is accessiblewith the visor deployed and/or the mandible deployed.

The lower strap system 620 is configured to increase or decrease thedownward tension in a rear area between a helmet 90 and the user's head.

The reeling strap 626 can be anchored at a midpoint along its length inthe reel 632, where the length includes the reeling strap 626 on bothsides of the helmet. Turning the reel 632 in a first direction drawsboth portions 626 d, 626 e of the reeling straps 626 located on oppositesides of the helmet into the reel 632 and thereby increase the tensionon the reeling strap 626 on both sides of the helmet and the associatedcontact straps 622, by moving rearward the loops 624 along the directionI on opposite sides of the helmet. Turning the reel in a seconddirection, opposite of the first direction, will spool out the reelingstrap portions 626 d, 626 e in both direction and thereby releasetension on the reeling straps 626 on both sides of the helmet andrelease tension on the contact straps 622 by moving forward the loops624 along the direction I on both sides of the helmet.

Each of the front strap system 610 and the lower strap system 620 areadjustable by turning the corresponding reels 631, 632. Therefore thehelmet retention system 600 may be adjusted by a user using only onehand. This is an improvement over the prior art systems that requireseveral buckles where the strap may be threaded and adjusted theirthrough. Some prior art retention systems have as many as five bucklesor points of adjustment for adjusting the various straps use to securethe helmet to a user's head.

In one embodiment, the contact straps 612, 622 may be divided as shownin FIG. 27 to provide for a detachable chin contact portion 650. In thisarrangement portions of the contact straps may disconnect from oneanother on opposite lateral side of a user's face. The chin contactportion 650 has a lower chin contact strap 612 g and a front chincontact strap 622 g. The lower strap 612 g and the front strap 622 gjoin at a first junction 653 the end of which has a loop that engaged amale portion 662 of a buckle. The male portion 662 is releasablyengageable with a female portion 660 of the buckle. A lower left sideportion 612 f of the first contact strap 612 joins with a forward leftside portion 622 f of the second contact strap 622 at a second junction664. The second junction 664 attaches to the female portion 660 of thebuckle. In one embodiment, a substantially mirror image identical buckleis used on the right side of the user's face, so that the chin contactportion 650 may be released from either side. In another embodiment, abuckle is only provided on one side and the contact straps extend toconnect at the buckle and are joined thereby.

The connection of the reeling straps to the contact straps may becovered by sleeves 613, 623 as shown in FIG. 27 to prevent chaffing orirritation of a user's skin by the movement of the reeling straps or thecontact straps and the loop 614, 624. Further, other portions of thereeling straps may be covered by a sleeve or may be contained in aconduit to prevent user contact with the reeling straps.

Mask

The helmet assembly 100 may be used with a mask 680 as shown in FIG. 29.The front inside surfaces of the helmet positively contact the top ofthe mask, providing stability. The inside surface contact may includecontact with helmet padding. The open area chin cup 621 is compressed sothat both the contact straps extend under the chin. The mask may haveone or more lenses 682 allowing a user to see through. The mask extendsrearward to a back edge 681. The mask may protect against chemical,biological, nuclear, and/or radiological exposure or threats. Mask maybe used with or without a balaclava 690 for covering the whole head of auser exposing only part of the face, which may be covered by a mask. Thebalaclava may protect against chemical, biological, nuclear, and/orradiological exposure or threats.

Goggle Attachment System

The helmet assembly 100 may have a goggle attachment system 700 shown inFIGS. 30, 31A-31D to secure protective goggles 695 with a protectivelens 695 a to a user's face. The goggles may be those made commerciallyavailable by Revision Military Ltd. of Vermont and known as DESERTLOCUST goggles, ASIAN LOCUST goggles, WOLFSPIDER goggles, or BULLET ANTgoggles. The goggle attachment system 700 has an anchor tower 710 withgoggle clip receivers 702, 704 on opposite lateral sides of the anchortower. The goggle clip receivers 702, 704 each have a slot 701 toreceiving a goggle clip 720. The anchor tower 710 may include a batterysuch as contained in battery pack 305 and therefore the anchor tower maybe used in place of battery pack 305. The anchor tower 710 when usedwith the helmet and/or accessory-mounting rim portion will be positionedalong the midplane 167 of the helmet at the rear as shown in FIG. 31E.The anchor tower 710 includes the snap-in tab or securing connection 302and the catch strip 304 as previously described for attaching the reartower of FIG. 14C. Thus, the tower is captured at its lowest end by thetab 302 into the accessory-mounting rim portion and prevented fromvertical dislodgement by the catch strip 304 being held horizontally bythe claws 115 a, 115 b of the top mount 115 and prevented from verticalmovement by shoulders 710 a of the tower abutting a bottom of the mount115.

The clip 720 has a peripheral edge 728 surrounding a flexing portion723. The flexing portion is connected to the peripheral edge by a bridge729. The peripheral edge has a step 728 c, an inset portion 728 a, and araised portion 728 b. The raised portion 728 b is closer to the straploop opening 725 than the inset portion. The inset portion is adjacentthe bridge 729. The raised portion 728 b connects to a loop bar 724 thatdefines a portion of the strap loop opening 725. A goggle strap 696 orother eyewear or accessories strap may be secured around the strap loopopening 725. The oppose end of the goggle strap may be attached to agoggle as shown in FIG. 31A. There is a gap 721 on three sides of theflexing portion between the flexing portion and the peripheral edge.

The flexing portion 723 has a first portion 727 separated by a recess726 from a second portion 722. The boundary 726 a between the recess 726and the second portion 722 is substantially coplanar with the step 728c. The first portion 727 rises or slopes rearward (out of the page ofFIG. 31D) from the bridge 729 towards the recess 726. The second portion722 rises or slopes rearward (out of the page of FIG. 31D) from an end722 a opposite the bridge, toward the recess 726. The first portionrises (out of the page of FIG. 31D) more aggressively than the secondportion. The second portion 722 rises to a more outward position (out ofthe page of FIG. 31D) than the most outward position (out of the page ofFIG. 31D) of the first portion 727.

The front face (with respect to the front direction of the helmet) ofthe clips 718 and anchor tower 710 are shown in FIG. 31C. The frontperipheral edge surface 730 is substantially flat. The front surface ofthe bridge portion 739 is substantially flat. A step 738 is locatedwhere the bridge portion connects with the flexing portion 723 on thefront side of the clip. Therefore, the flexing portion 723 is positionedmore rearward (into the page of FIG. 31C, out of the page of FIG. 31D)than the bridge portion on the front side of the clip and the step 738provides the connection. The flexing portion 723 has a default positionwhich is more rearward (extending into the page of FIG. 31C, out of thepage of FIG. 31D) than the front peripheral edge surface 730. Thisconfiguration allows the flexing portion 723 to flex forward (out of thepage of FIG. 31C, into the page of FIGS. 31D and 31B) as the clip ispressed into the clip receiver.

Only one of the goggle clip receivers 702, 704 will be described as theyare mirror image identical across the midplane 167. The slot 703 hasperipheral engagement surface 707 a continuous with an end engagementsurface 707 and an entry raised portion 708. The entry raised portion708 extends forward from one side off the slot 703. The entry raisedportion 708 is sized and shaped to fit into the recess 726 of the clip720. It can be a rectangular block shape. The peripheral engagementsurface 707 a, the end engagement surface 707, and the side raisedportion 708 surround a recessed portion 705. The peripheral engagementsurfaces 707 a are configured to contact the inset peripheral edgeportion 728 a of the goggle clip.

As the clip is inserted into the slot of the clip receiver, the firstportion 727 contacts the entry raised portion 708 of the clip receiver.As the clip is further inserted into the slot 703, the entry raisedportion 708 of the clip receiver forces the flexing portion 723 of theclip forward (into the page of FIGS. 31B and 31D) as the first portion727 continues contact with the entry raised portion 708. The flexingportion 723 of the clip continues to be pushed forward to the pointwhere the recess 726 of the clip registers with the entry raised portion708. When this occurs, the entry raised portion 708 is received in therecess 726 and secures the clip in the clip receiver as this springforce of the flexing portion 723 pushes the recess 726 rearward (out ofthe page of FIGS. 31B and 31D) to capture the entry raised portion 708.In this configuration, the entry raised portion is secure between thefirst portion 727 of the clip and the second portion 722 of the clip. Inaddition, when the clip is secured in the clip receiver, the entryraised portion 708 of the clip receiver is located in the recess 726,the step 728 c of the clip is engaged against, or in close proximity toa face 701 a of clip receiver.

To release the clip from the clip receiver, the second portion 722 ofthe flexing portion of the clip is pressed forward (into the page FIG.31D) by a user to release the entry raised portion 708 of the clipreceiver from the recess 726 of the clip. The forward pressure continuesuntil the rear most portion (out of the page FIG. 31D) of the firstportion 727 is depressed forward (into the page FIG. 31D) of the entryraised portion 708 of the clip receiver. Once the first portion 727 isdepressed forward of the side 709 of the entry raised portion 708 of theclip receiver, the clip can be withdrawn laterally from the clipreceiver.

Face Shield and Mounting Arrangement

The details of the face shields 38, 138 and the mounting arrangement 142are shown in FIGS. 32-46. FIGS. 33, 35-38, and 38B show the mountingarrangement 142 used on mount 44 which is attached or attachable tohelmet 34 as provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/875,106,filed Sep. 2, 2010. However, mounting arrangement 142 is adapted toattach and readily attachable to the front mount 144. Further, FIGS. 33,34, 36-38, 38B, 38C, and 40-43 show the mounting arrangement 142 usedwith face shield 38 having a frame 95 and a lens 94. However, the faceshield 38 can be replaced by face shield 138 having frame 101 andattached to the mounting arrangement 142 so that the frame may be heldagainst or in close proximity to the front top brim of theaccessory-mounting rim portion 200 and may hold the lens 102 adjacentthereto. The mounting arrangement 42 of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/875,106, filed Sep. 2, 2010, is substantially the same as mountingarrangement 142.

FIG. 32 shows the mounting arrangement 142 and the lens 102 attached tofront mount 144 and in a raised standby position above the user's eyes.The frame 101 for attaching with arms 1114 a, 1114 b is not shown.

In one embodiment, the face shield 38 comprises a lens 94 and a frame95. In another embodiment, the face shield 138 comprises lens 102 andframe 101 as shown in FIG. 39. The lens 94 fits within a groove 97 (FIG.34) in the frame 95 and is fixed to the frame by three screws 96 (FIG.33).

The lens 102 fits within a groove 1197 (FIG. 39) in the frame 101 and isfixed to the frame by via three holes 1196 where screws (not shown) maybe provided. For military use particularly, the face shield lens 94, 102should be ballistic impact resistant. It can be of a laminatedconstruction and can feature a variable light transmission system. Sucha variable light transmission system can incorporate an electroniccontrol system to vary the light transmission according to the ambientlight conditions.

The face shield frame 95 is mounted to the mounting arrangement 142 viathe shield mount 43. The shield mount 43 comprises parallel lugs 98 a,98 b (FIG. 38). The lugs 98 a, 98 b include holes 99 a, 99 b forreceiving pins 99 c (only one shown, FIG. 38). Each pins 99 c passesthrough a hole 1101 (FIG. 37) formed through sides in a base portion1102 (FIG. 36) of a lever 1100, and are held in place by the head of thepin and a circlip or lock washer 99 d. The lever 1100 includes a hole1103 (FIG. 36) through a distal end thereof. A pivot pin 1107 (FIG. 37)is fit though the hole 1103 and is fixed to sidewalls 1110 a, 1110 b(FIG. 38) which extend outward from a baseplate 1112. L-shaped sidelinks 1114 a, 1114 b are pinned at one end to the lugs 1110 a, 1110 band at an opposite end to the lugs 98 a, 98 b.

Face shield frame 101 is mounted to arrangement 142 via the shield mount142 e in a substantially similar manner to the configuration mountingthe shield frame 95 to the mounting arrangement 142 via the shield mount43. The shield mount 142 e comprises parallel lugs 98 a, 98 b (FIG. 38).The lugs 1198 a, 1198 b include holes 1199 a, 1199 b for receiving pins1199 c (only one shown, FIG. 38). Each pins 99 c passes through a hole1101 (FIG. 37) formed through sides in a base portion 1102 (FIG. 36) ofa lever 1100, and are held in place by the head of the pin and a circlipor lock washer 99 d.

The lever 1100 has a central recess 1116 (FIGS. 36 and 37). An opening1118 is provided within the central recess 1116. A hook-shaped latch1122 (FIGS. 36, 37 and 38) has a base end pivotally attached to thesidewalls 1110 a, 1110 b by a through pin 1124 (FIG. 37). The latchextends outwardly through the opening 1118. The latch is biased torotate upward to a latched position by a torsion spring 1130 (FIG. 38).When the face shield is moved from the upward, non-use or standbyposition down to the deployed position as shown in FIG. 1, the leverslides over the angular face 1122 a of the latch, which causes rotationof the latch downward as the hook end passes through the opening 1118.Once the hook end of the latch is through the opening 1118, the latchrebounds by the urging of the torsion spring to rotate upward and thehook end overlies a first recessed surface 1116 a of the lever adjacentto the opening 1118. The latch 1122 holds the lever 1100 and the faceshield 38, 138 in the deployed position. The latch 1122 can also be madeto overlie a second recessed surface 1116 b to hold the face shield in aslightly open position with respect to the helmet and mandible. To movethe face shield 38, 138 to the slightly open position or the tilted up,non-use position, the hook end 1122 a of the latch must be depresseddownward by a finger to release the latch from the lever and the faceshield can be pivoted upward.

The pivot pin 1107 is fixed to the sidewalls 1110 a, 1110 b by use of athreaded screw 1123 a and a spring pin 1123 b on each end of the pivotpin 1107 for each sidewall 1110 a, 1110 b. The spring pin 1123 b is apin having a portion that is larger than a hole in the pivot pin 1107such that it must be resiliently or deformable forced into the hole tohold the pivot pin 1107 fixedly to the sidewalls 1110 a, 1110 b. The useof a spring pin prevents unscrewing of the screw 1123 a due to therepetitive raising and lowering of the face shield.

The pivot pin 1107 includes two recesses 1126 a, 1126 b at two spacedapart, circumferential positions. A detent mechanism 1127 is shown inFIGS. 41 and 43. The detent mechanism includes three spring mechanisms1127 a arranged in parallel. Each mechanism includes a compressionspring 1127 b that urges a ball 1127 c toward the pivot pin 1107. Allthe compression springs are braced by a backing through pin 1127 d. Thecompression spring 1127 b and the ball 1127 c are captured within acylindrical passage 1100 a formed in the lever 1100, by the backing pin1127 d and the pivot pin 1107. When installed, the springs 1127 b arepre-compressed between the backing pin 1127 d and the pivot pin 1107 tothe degree necessary to allow the balls 1127 c to be urged into theappropriate recess 1126 a, 1126 b when the recess presents itself to theballs 1127 c upon rotation of the lever 1100 with respect to the pivotpin 1107. The balls 1127 c fit into the recess 1126 a when the faceshield is moved slightly away from the helmet and mandible to allow forincreased ventilation, and fit into the recess 1126 b when the faceshield 38, 138 is pivoted into the raised, non-use position (FIGS. 32).The engagement between the detent mechanism 1127 and either of therecesses 1126 a, 1126 b provides a resilient hold that can be overcomeby force from the wearers hand to pivot the face shield.

The face shield is operable with one hand to raise and lower the faceshield. One finger depresses the latch 1122 as the rest of the handlifts the face shield to a raised position. The face shield can belowered with one hand and the latch is self engaging.

FIG. 38B shows the baseplate 1112 includes a main body portion 1132, abacking plate 1133 (FIG. 38A), a spring 1134, and a latching tongue1136. The main body portion 1132 includes an upper edge 1138 (FIGS. 34and 37). The spring 1134 biases the latching tongue 1136 in a directionaway from the upper edge 1138. A handle 1140 is connected to thelatching tongue through a side clearance within the main body portion1132.

The backing plate 1133 is a metal piece and includes side walls 1133 ahaving holes 1133 b which allow resin of the main body portion 1132 toflow through the holes during overmolding to integrate the backing plate1133 with the main body portion 1132. The mount 144 includes a top frontformation or central accessory mount 1144 (FIG. 35) that includes aninverted U-shaped retainer portion 1148, surface depressions 1150, 1152,1154, 1156, 1158, a top slot 1160 and a bottom slot 1162. The surfacedepressions 1150-1158 are sized and shaped to receive protrusions 1163,1164, 1165, 1166 (FIG. 34) on a back of the baseplate 1112.

The front mount 144 includes a top formation or central accessory mount144 a that includes an inverted U-shaped retainer portion 144 b. The topformation 144 a may have surface depressions, a top slot, and a bottomslot (not shown) such as surface depressions 1150-1158, a top slot 1160and a bottom slot 1162 of mount 144. The surface depressions may besized and shaped to receive protrusions 1163, 1164, 1165, 1166 (FIG. 34)on a back of the baseplate 1112. The baseplate 1112 may be supported onledge 144 c. In one embodiment the ledge 144 c may be a latch that isresiliently biased upward to secure the base plate in the retainerportion 144 b. The ledge 144 c may have a lip to prevent the forwardmovement of the base plate 1114.

The front mount is also compatible to mount a night vision appliance ornight vision goggle.The front mount or front bracket portions aremounted on a helmet 34 using screws 1360, 1362 and a center screw 1363(FIG. 35).

To mount the baseplate 1112 to and into the formation 1144, the upperedge 1138 is fit into the top slot 1160, the baseplate is fit snuglywithin the retainer portion 1148 and the tongue 1136 is retractedupwardly by force on the handle 1140 until the tongue can be fit intothe bottom slot 1162.

Similarly, to mount baseplate 1112 to and into front mount 144, theupper edge 1138 into the top slot 144 d, the baseplate is fit snuglywithin the retainer portion 144 b and the tongue 1136 is retractedupwardly by force on the handle 1140 until the tongue can be fit intothe bottom slot, or secured on the ledge 144 c.

The face shield frame 95 can also incorporate a removable gasket to sealagainst the helmet brim to prevent ingress of fluids.

FIG. 34 shows the frame 95 includes frame supports 95 a that braceagainst the helmet gasket 240 when the face shield is properly seated.FIGS. 3 and 39 show a contact gasket 101 a that seals the contactbetween the frame 101 and the accessory-mounting rim portion such as anaccessory-mounting rim portion, such as a halo 200. The gasket 101 a hasa first lip 101 b that crosses a second lip 101 c of the gasket at itapproaches the lateral edges of the frame 101.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations andmodifications may be effected without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation withrespect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended orshould be inferred.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A helmet assembly including a helmet forplacing over a wearer's head and a mandible, connectable to the helmet,wherein the mandible comprises right and left cheek protecting portionsconnected at the front by a mouth protecting portion; the mouthprotecting portion having a front cover that is openable, wherein thefront cover is pivotally connected to the mouth protecting portion.